make a budget and stick to it

on the recommendation of a very wise friend, i bought a cash book in which i record every single expenditure. the cash book has columns so that allows me to break up the spendings into things like ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ and ‘social spending’ so i can not only track where it’s going but after a while i’ll be able to accurately measure just which of my life areas is costing the most. it also helps to curb impulsive spending a little because i have to ask myself ‘really? you want to have to write that in the book? that’s going to be ANOTHER entry in the emotional eating column. that’s right, put the chocolate down, porker.’